Rams carry questions, high expectations into camp

Colorado State begins fall camp Thursday with a forward-looking approach, but with questions looming on both sides of the ball. (AAron Ontiveroz / THE DENVER POST)

FORT COLLINS — Just as coaches expect to see a jump in performance from the first game to the second, Mike Bobo's outlook for his second season in charge of the Colorado State football program is quite the same.

A 7-6 record was a nice start, and a curious one, too.

The offense — Bobo's bread and butter — turned the ball over way more than he would have liked and definitely more than he expected. For him, it was nauseating at times.

Then in the same thought, Bobo gave a pat on the back to his Rams as a whole. Really, how in the world were they able to win seven games dispensing all those gifts?

Junior safety Jake Schlager has been a standout on special teams, but now could be the time for him to play a vital role for Colorado State in the secondary. (Jenny Sparks / Loveland Reporter-Herald)

Perseverance and growth, two broader aspects of the program's development that will run front and center along with the finite bullet points for improvement as fall camp opens today with a 7 a.m. practice.

"I'm excited to come together and that final piece of fall camp and how we come together as a team," Bobo said in Las Vegas last week. "What is the influx of talent and players, what's it going to do to the makeup of our team, how is it going to improve us? That's what I'm looking forward to is getting to see who we are and what are we going to become."

While the Rams have pockets of great experience to fall back on — the offensive line and linebackers — there are more questions to be answered by a large group of relatively untested players.

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A total of 55 players have seen college action among the 105 who will be in camp until classes begin in the fall, and they have accounted for 171 starts. The offensive line is a great place to have an experienced group, and 69 of those starts belong to them. Defensively, the linebackers have 33 starts, 19 for the defensive backs — or more precisely, 18 for Tyree Simmons and one for Jake Schlager.

It is on that side of the ball where Rams have the most change coming, with a need to rebuild the front three and the secondary, and do it while reverting back to a 3-4 defense with Marty English back in the defensive coordinator's role. On paper, it looks like a fixer-upper, but this summer, linebacker Kevin Davis gained an optimistic view.

"I think we'll take it as we'll be the underdog, so we'll work," he said. "I think we'll have a real good season."

It's a give-and-take proposition. Bobo and English like the 3-4 system as it allows for more deception, but it takes experience, knowledge and understanding to be devious.

"Now, we've got to play young guys. We've got to play guys who were special teams players or second- or third-team guys who are now going to be in a starter's role," Bobo said. "Now, how do we get these young guys ready and how do we get these new guys on the field, playing fast and not be too simple defensively? We've got to be good enough within that 3-4 to cause disruption for an offense, but we can't do too much schematically where we can't get the young guys on the field, because we gotta get them on the field. That's the challenge that we have and Coach English and his staff have this fall camp. It's a big challenge."

Offensively, the Rams have to rebuild the receiving group as the majority of catches are gone, and that includes the tight ends. Senior Nolan Peralta is expected to fill a void after pitching in at fullback last season, a position that is lighter now as Mitch Parsons and Dawit Woldu are no longer on roster and junior college signee Darneal Jenkins did not report and will not be with the team.

Overall, Peralta is encouraged by what he's seen in summer camp from those who have paid their dues and are ready to take on a larger role.

His message was not to underestimate the drive of a hungry player who has been awaiting his chance.

"We want this year to be one where people talk about for awhile," he said.

Then there are the 25 players signed in February who are on campus as reinforcements who are just learning the CSU way. Six are transfers, three of them (quarterback Faton Bauta, defensive backs Houston Haynes and A'Keitheon Whitner) were on hand for spring, as was true freshman quarterback Collin Hill. He might not play, but a handful of the 18 other true freshmen will definitely get a crack to break the depth chart, even start.

That should be their expectation, Bobo said. If not, "I signed the wrong guy," he added.

His idea is that one or two of the running backs will play. The freshmen have ample opportunity to push for jobs in the secondary and at wide receiver. On the defensive line, Christian Colon has the attention of his teammates and the coaches, as well.

Thursday marks the start of four weeks of intensive training and competition aimed at leading Bobo to the bottom line he envisions for the season.

"My expectation is to win every game. That's your expectation," he said. "When you win one, you figure out a plan to win the next one. When you don't, you figure out a plan to win the next one. That's my expectation."

Defensive line — The front four graduated, and the good news is the Rams only need three to fill the spots. Darnell Thompson made gains in the spring and has impressed this summer. Josh Lovingood, with eight career starts, needs to reaffirm he can play a bigger role, and true freshmen Christian Colon and Arjay Jean have earned good reviews this summer.

Secondary — Tyree Simmons has 18 career starts, seven last year, including six of the final seven games. He looked great in the spring to virtually lock up one corner. The other could be manned by Jordan Vaden, a former WR who proved to be a quick study in the spring. At safety, Jake Schlager has emerged as a leader, but who will play free and help correct the mistakes that led to so many long scoring runs last year? Depth is needed for nickel and dime packages.

Wide receiver — Where have you gone Joe Hansley? And Rashard Higgins? The NFL turned it's eyes to them. Vaden is a DB, and Deionte Gaines and the Rams had to part ways. So who is to catch the ball? Xavier Williams seemed to climb out of the doghouse in the spring, only to end up back there this summer. Jobs are there for the taking.

Quarterback — Nick Stevens was second-team all-conference last year after throwing 21 touchdown passes. He had competition this spring in transfer Faton Bauta after throwing 12 interceptions. Bobo felt Stevens needed a push. Bauta provided it early with his knowledge of the system, then late in spring as he physically started to brush off the rust. True freshman Collin Hill isn't out there for fun, either, meaning the room should produce better production under center this year.

Offensive line — A strength, leading to good questions. The middle is strong with Fred Zerblis at one guard and Jake Bennett at center. Paul Thurston, in from Nebraska, will get a crack to start at left guard. Zach Golditch is getting better, Nick Calendar and Trae Moxley have experience and Colby Meeks played as a true freshman. Will Friend is looking for his best five, and the competition for those jobs should only make the Rams' strongest group stronger.

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